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Enchor diye Cholar Dal (Bengali Chana Dal with Green Jackfruit)

March 20, 2017 By Maumita Paul 2 Comments

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Enchor diye Cholar DalPin

The fledgling jackruit tree Dada and I had discovered quite by chance one nondescript evening as we chased each other silly has now come of age.
And stands tall and proud, laden with fruit aplenty.

So much that Grandma and Maa have been patiently sending jackfruit dispatches to relatives and neighbours.
The kitchen too has been relentless churning out jackfruit delicacies – delectable dalnas, sinful kalias, fragrant pulaos, even cutlets to cheer up mundane weekday afternoons. Jackfruit has been paired with chicken in a fiery korma. That Dada and I keep entreating Maa to prepare for us again. And with prawns in a to-die-for decadent curry.

Even the seeds have not been discarded.
They have received a patient scrub and left in the fierce sun to dry.
I have been more than earnest in leaving them under the glare of the sun in the mornings and checking on them once back from school.
How many more days Grandma ? I quiz everyday. Impatient with the languorous wait. For Grandma to make her stir-fry of jackfruit seeds with kalonji and wicked green chillies !!!

Enchor diye Cholar DalPin

And its one such sultry afternoon, the sun listless, the lull deafening, the kalboisakhi brewing, I return from school to be greeted with luchi and enchor diye cholar dal.
Jackfruit in cholar dal ? My first reaction is one of cynic skepticism.
I relish my narkel diye cholar dal. The one Grandma makes on puja days. With the toasted coconut slivers and plump dal-drunk raisins.
Why did she deviate from a classic that Dada and I adore ?
Grandma reads my mind.
Try it my Princess. If you don’t like it, I shall make you something else. She calmly pleads.
Hesitatingly I take a first bite.
And the flavours explode on my taste buds. I am numb with pleasure.
You are a magician Grandma. I hug her once done with the meal. How can you churn out such magic day in and day out ?
Grandma smiles.
One day when you have seen the world, you shall be a far more accomplished cook than me. Just follow your heart.

Enchor diye cholar dal. Bengali Chana Dal cooked lovingly with green jackfruit. The earthy heat of grated ginger. The perfume of whole spices.

Food heaven !!!Save

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Enchor diye Cholar DalPin

Enchor diye Cholar Dal (Bengali Chana Dal with Green Jackfruit)

Enchor diye cholar dal. Bengali Chana Dal cooked lovingly with green jackfruit. The earthy heat of grated ginger. The perfume of whole spices. Food heaven !!!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 30 mins
Total Time 40 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine Bengali, Indian

Ingredients
  

  • 300 g enchor or green jackfruit cut into medium cubes
  • 1/2 cup cholar dal or bengal gram
  • 2 tomatoes finely chopped
  • 2 tsp ginger grated
  • 3-4 green chilies slit
  • 2 green cardamom
  • 1 one inch cinnamon stick
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1-2 bay leaves
  • 2-3 dry red chilies
  • 1 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1/2 tsp red chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp garam masala powder
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • 2 tsp ghee
  • salt to taste

Instructions
 

  • Soak the dal overnight. Boil till just cooked, taking care that the dal is not too mushy. Keep aside.
  • Heat oil in a pan, temper with crushed green cardamom and cinnamon. Throw in the cumin seeds, bay leaves, and red chilies. Saute for a minute or so. Allow the spices to release their aroma.
  • Add the grated ginger and tomatoes now, sprinkle in a little salt, saute for 2-3 minutes.
  • Add the green jackfruit, turmeric powder and red chili powder. Cook for a further 10-12 minutes till oil starts to be released from the masala.
  • Add 1/2 a cup of warm water and pressure cook, 1 whistle I would reckon is good enough. Allow the steam to release on its own.
  • Gently add the boiled dal to the jackfruit. Throw in a few more green chillies if you want. Give it a good stir. Return to flame, adjust seasonings and continue to cook for another 5-7 minutes.
  • Finish with a dollop of ghee and a generous sprinkle of garam masala powder. Serve hot.

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Filed Under: Bengali Recipes, Chhana, Paneer and Vegetables, Lentils/Dals Tagged With: Bengali Dal Recipes, Bengali Food Blog, Bengali Food Photography, Bengali Recipes, Bengali Recipes From Grandmas Kitchen, Bengali Summer Recipes, Chana Dal, Cholar Dal, Dal, Dal Food Photography, Dal Photography, Enchor, Enchor diye Cholar Dal, Food Photography, Green Jackfruit, Indian Dal Recipes, Indian Food Photography, Indian Recipes, No Onion No Garlic, Traditional Bengali Recipes, Vegetarian

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Maumita Paul

    March 27, 2017 at 7:34 pm

    @Akanxa Thanks for stopping by my blog. I adore raw jackfruit 🙂 and wish it were available the year round.

    Reply
  2. Akanxa Padhi

    March 27, 2017 at 4:01 am

    Beautifully narrated!
    And raw jackfruit is a thing to die for.

    Reply

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Hello!! I am Maumita and welcome to Experiences of a Gastronomad.
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Maumita Paul
Nothing more hearty than phulkopir singara and a c Nothing more hearty than phulkopir singara and a cup of masala  tea as the evenings get a tad bit colder !!! 
Any takers ? ❤️ .
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 #desi_diaries #storiesofkolkata #theuncommonbox #bengalifood #india_undiscovered @ig_calcutta @stories.of.kolkata #official_photography_hub #teatime #foodgasm #foodstyling #chai #foodphotography #homemade #ig_calcutta #eatseasonal @india_undiscovered @walkwithindia @tv_stilllife #tasteofkolkata #foodporn #gastronomad_m #foodtalkindia #walkwithindia #kolkatabuzz #indianshutterbugs #foodstylist #canonphotography #calcuttacacophony #onlyinbengal #snack #foodstories #acreativevisual #chai #singara #sundayvibes
Sankranti remains one of the festivals closest to Sankranti remains one of the festivals closest to my heart. 

One of those days when I miss Grandma dearly and yearn to return to childhood and relish all the delectable pithe puli she would make !!! 
Happy Sankranti everyone !!!

On the plate 
Khejur Gurer Patishapta, Doodhpuli, Teler Pitha, Nolen Gurer Payesh and Soru Chakuli.
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#dessert #sweettooth #storiesofkolkata #calcuttacacophony #foodphotography #acreativevisual #nostalgia #india_undiscovered #official_photography_hub #canonphotography #eeeeeats #foodblogfeed #photographers_of_india #theuncommonbox #eatseasonal  #gastronomad_m #foodphotography #tv_foodlovers #foodpornography #foodtalkindia #photooftheday #foodporn #sankranti #desi_diaries #capturingmagic #wearebengal #eatseasonal #winter  #cherishedmemories #makarsankranti #creatingmemories #foodthatheals
New blog post ❤️ And every year, around Sankr New blog post ❤️

And every year, around Sankranthi, the chitoi pithe moulds make a magical re-appearance from the hidden vaults of the windowless sunlight-starved and perennially musty and damp bhnaarar ghor (pantry), illuminated by a lone naked incandescent bulb, before being dusted, scrubbed, soaked, dried and then used in vehement anger for the Sankranti festivities, only to disappear once the euphoria of the harvest festival subsides.
A use and throw culture has still not invaded our lives and the fact that this rather inexpensive non-descript humble artifact is used on just a couple of occasions around Sankranti every year makes not an iota of difference to the magnanimous love and care it receives.
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To read more and try this recipe of Doodh Chitoi , direct link is there in bio. 
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#dessert #sweettooth #storiesofkolkata #calcuttacacophony #foodphotography #acreativevisual #nostalgia #india_undiscovered #official_photography_hub #canonphotography #eeeeeats #foodblogfeed #photographers_of_india #theuncommonbox #eatseasonal  #gastronomad_m #foodphotography #tv_foodlovers #foodpornography #foodtalkindia #photooftheday #foodporn #sankranti #desi_diaries #capturingmagic #wearebengal #eatseasonal #winter  #cherishedmemories #makarsankranti #creatingmemories #foodthatheals
Its less than a week to Sankranti and my kitchen i Its less than a week to Sankranti and my kitchen is in manic frenzy this morning steaming some stunning Bhapa Pitha. 

I have always preferred freshly ground rice flour to store-bought ones. And my hand-free 1400w hamiltonbeach JMG ensured the rice was ground to fine flour, just as I wanted it, in a blink .
(Also do check the coarse, medium and fine grinding options available which gives us such luxury of choice -  I opted for the fine option for the rice flour)

And  here’s my recipe for the quintessential Bengali Bhapa Pitha / Assamese Keteli Pitha. 
Soak the rice for 2 hours, drain from water. 
Allow the rice to dry over a newspaper or muslin cloth to drain any excess water. 
Use your Hamiltonbeach JMG to blitz the rice to a fine powder.
Transfer the rice flour to a bowl, add a pinch of salt, mix well.
Splash a little water to the rice flour, start mixing with your hand. The texture of the dough should be crumbly and just damp enough. Splash water in small increments, we don’t want a wet batter here.
Sieve the moist flour .
Take a kettle, fill it half with water and bring to a boil.
Wrap the lid of the kettle with a damp muslin cloth.
Spread a layer of the rice flour uniformly over the cloth.
Add 1 tsp of freshly grated coconut on the rice flour, followed by 1 tsp of chopped jaggery And finish it with another layer of rice flour. Press gently, take care to not press it too hard.
Wrap with another piece of moist muslin, put the lid back on over the boiling water.
Steam for 10-12 minutes.
Carefully remove the lid from the kettle. 
Gently remove the outer muslin cloth. Use a sharp knife along the edges of the lid to un-mould the pitha..
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#BigBoxOfLove

#SayToHelloPerfection #ProResultsAtHome #HamiltonBeachIndia #CookLikeAPro #fbciofficial

@hamiltonbeachindia, @fbciofficial @grainandgrowth .
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#dessert #sweettooth #storiesofkolkata #calcuttacacophony #foodphotography #acreativevisual #nostalgia #india_undiscovered #official_photography_hub #glutenfree #eeeeeats #foodblogfeed #photographers_of_india #theuncommonbox #eatseasonal  #gastronomad_m #foodphotography #tv_foodlovers #sankranti
The Doulla Pithe that Grandma (Bamma) creates is s The Doulla Pithe that Grandma (Bamma) creates is sheer magic – Pillowy rice flour parcels with a tiny morsel of patali hidden in the center. Stewed in milk perfumed with even more patali gur.
Have a bite, Grandma coaxes.
And the molten patali bursts out of the shackles of the rice flour cocoon.
The fragrance of patali and the perfume of rice leave my palate enthralled.
I take another bite.
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If you want to try this , temporary recipe link is updated in bio ❤️
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#dessert #sweettooth #storiesofkolkata #calcuttacacophony #foodphotography #acreativevisual #nostalgia #india_undiscovered #official_photography_hub #canonphotography #eeeeeats #foodblogfeed #photographers_of_india #theuncommonbox #eatseasonal  #gastronomad_m #foodphotography #tv_foodlovers #foodpornography #foodtalkindia #photooftheday #foodporn #sankranti #desi_diaries #capturingmagic #wearebengal #eatseasonal #winter  #cherishedmemories #makarsankranti #creatingmemories #foodthatheals
Can I taste one ? I ask as Maa’s experienced han Can I taste one ? I ask as Maa’s experienced hands effortlessly remove the pithe from the oil and immerse them in the jaggery syrup, but even before Maa can warn me, I have snatched one and bitten into the gokul pithe.
My tongue is singed.
And for that odd moment, I am all numb.
Minutes, that feel like days, pass.
And then the taste sinks in, sublime, a mellifluous symphony of grated coconut and jaggery.
This is food heaven !!!
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To try  recipe, temporary recipe link is updated in bio ❤️
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#dessert #sweettooth #storiesofkolkata #calcuttacacophony #foodphotography #acreativevisual #nostalgia #india_undiscovered #official_photography_hub #canonphotography #eeeeeats #foodblogfeed #photographers_of_india #theuncommonbox #eatseasonal  #gastronomad_m #foodphotography #tv_foodlovers #foodpornography #foodtalkindia #photooftheday #foodporn #sankranti #desi_diaries #capturingmagic #wearebengal #eatseasonal #winter  #cherishedmemories #makarsankranti #creatingmemories #foodthatheals
Natorer Luchir Payesh!! A sandwich, if I can use t Natorer Luchir Payesh!!
A sandwich, if I can use the liberty of an analogy, of two luchis with a divine gurer kanchagolla filling in between. Fried to a gorgeous golden. And dipped into a notun gur perfumed payesh just before serving.
You do not want it soggy, Grandma would religiously remind Maa every time, that would ruin the fun of the dish.
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To try  recipe, temporary recipe link is updated in bio ❤️
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#dessert #sweettooth #storiesofkolkata #calcuttacacophony #foodphotography #acreativevisual #nostalgia #india_undiscovered #official_photography_hub #canonphotography #eeeeeats #foodblogfeed #photographers_of_india #theuncommonbox #eatseasonal  #gastronomad_m #foodphotography #tv_foodlovers #foodpornography #foodtalkindia #photooftheday #foodporn #sankranti #desi_diaries #capturingmagic #wearebengal #eatseasonal #winter  #cherishedmemories #makarsankranti #creatingmemories #foodthatheals
This is the story of Grandma. And her fierce love This is the story of Grandma. And her fierce love for rice. Not just rice, any new harvest. Any fresh produce of the soil. Her soil. As she would proudly assert.
Wasting rice in our growing-up years was never an option. Not even a single grain. This is the labour of love. She would remind Dada and me whenever we fussed about food. This is the culmination of months of back-breaking labour. Respect the grain. Respect the farmer.

Cut to the present. My chire has just arrived. Ordered online and delivered at the doorstep by a logistics company. I am blissfully ignorant of what rice went in to prepare this chire. And the farmer shall remain an unacquainted stranger to me. As would his family who possibly helped as well.
Food has reduced, I ruminate, to being impersonal, hasnt it, the consumer and the producer separated by more degrees than my mind can decipher. The price I guess for the comforts of modern life.
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To read more and  try chirer doodpuli , temporary recipe link is updated in bio ❤️
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#dessert #sweettooth #storiesofkolkata #calcuttacacophony #foodphotography #acreativevisual #nostalgia #india_undiscovered #official_photography_hub #canonphotography #eeeeeats #foodblogfeed #photographers_of_india #theuncommonbox #eatseasonal  #gastronomad_m #foodphotography #tv_foodlovers #foodpornography #foodtalkindia #photooftheday #foodporn #sankranti #desi_diaries #capturingmagic #wearebengal #eatseasonal #winter  #cherishedmemories #makarsankranti #creatingmemories #foodthatheals
Of late, Grandma would occasionally give in to sna Of late, Grandma would occasionally give in to snatches of emotional upheavals. Reminiscing more and more of her home in sylvan Sylhet.
Chachi was our neighbour. Born in Bikrampur near Dhaka. Married to a trader family in Sylhet. She brought with her to Sylhet the delectable Bibikhana Pitha from her home town. And every year she would lovingly welcome winter, the new harvest, the fragrant rice and the notun gur with her Bibikhana Pitha.
So here it is, the incredibly delicious Bibikhana Pitha. From Bikrampur in Bangladesh. 
Bliss !!! 
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If you want to try this recipe , temporary recipe link is updated in bio ❤️
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#dessert #sweettooth #storiesofkolkata #calcuttacacophony #foodphotography #acreativevisual #nostalgia #india_undiscovered #official_photography_hub #canonphotography #eeeeeats #foodblogfeed #photographers_of_india #theuncommonbox #foodie #eatseasonal  #gastronomad_m #foodphotography #tv_foodlovers #foodpornography #foodtalkindia #photooftheday #foodporn #sankranti #desi_diaries #capturingmagic #wearebengal #eatseasonal #winter  #cherishedmemories #glutenfree #creatingmemories

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